17 BBQ Mains That Turn a Regular Cookout Into an All-Day Hangout

Cookouts stretch into all-day hangouts when the main dishes keep coming off the grill in waves. These 17 BBQ mains cover wings, ribs, burgers, chicken thighs, whole chicken, steak, skewers, lamb chops, shrimp, and sandwiches. The mix gives readers quick grill options, slower weekend mains, handheld plates, and bigger cuts that can keep the outdoor table moving.

A plate of sliced Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri, served on a white rectangular dish. — Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Chicken Wings

With a total of 50 minutes, Grilled Chicken Wings make 6 servings using a dry rub and a two-zone grill setup. Chicken wings, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper keep the ingredient list simple. The wings cook over indirect heat first, then finish over direct heat for crisp edges. Serve them with ranch, blue cheese dressing, celery, carrot sticks, or extra barbecue sauce.
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Grilled Ribs on a Charcoal Grill

Close-up of Grilled ribs covered in sauce, garnished with chopped parsley, served on a white plate. — Grilled Ribs on a Charcoal Grill. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Cooked in 1 hour and 40 minutes, Grilled Ribs on a Charcoal Grill serve 4 and feature pork ribs with a simple spice rub. Olive oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and optional BBQ sauce build the flavor. The two-zone charcoal method gives the ribs time to cook before the final char. Serve them with coleslaw, beans, potato salad, corn, or extra napkins.
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Grilled Dijon Rosemary Chicken Thighs

Ready in 25 minutes, Grilled Dijon Rosemary Chicken Thighs make 4 servings with a mustard and herb glaze. Grainy mustard, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, chopped rosemary, boneless skinless chicken thighs, salt, and pepper keep the recipe focused. The glaze goes on near the end, so the honey does not burn over the heat. Serve them with grilled vegetables, rice, corn, salad, or roasted potatoes.
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Easy Grilled Beef Burgers

A close-up of a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, ketchup, and a beef patty in a bun, served on a white plate. — Easy Grilled Beef Burgers. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Built from 24 ounces of ground beef, Easy Grilled Beef Burgers make 8 burgers in 27 minutes. BBQ sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, buns, cheese slices, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles keep the cookout setup familiar. The patties grill quickly, which helps when people keep coming back for another plate. Serve them with fries, baked beans, slaw, corn ribs, or potato wedges.
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Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

After a 30-minute marinade, Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers make 4 servings in 50 minutes total. Boneless chicken thighs, harissa paste, honey, red onion, lemon juice, and skewers create a sweet-spicy main for the grill. The smaller pieces cook fast and make serving easier during a long outdoor meal. Serve them with couscous, grilled vegetables, salad, rice, or a platter of warm flatbread.
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Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Hot and fast on the grill, Grilled Beef Finger Meat makes 4 servings in 20 minutes. Beef finger meat and Montreal steak seasoning are the main ingredients, so the cut itself carries most of the flavor. The recipe works well for cookouts because the pieces cook quickly over direct heat and can be served with simple sides. Pair them with bacon fried corn, potato salad, grilled vegetables, or rolls.
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Grilled Whole Chicken

A roasted chicken with barbecue sauce on a white plate, with green beans, corn on the cob, a glass of beer, and salt and pepper shakers in the background. — Grilled Whole Chicken. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

With 1 hour total time, Grilled Whole Chicken makes 6 servings using a two-zone grill method. A whole chicken gets coated with cooking oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional BBQ sauce. The whole bird gives the cookout a centerpiece without needing several smaller batches. Serve carved pieces with corn, slaw, beans, potatoes, or grilled bread.
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Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops

Three Grill Mediterranean Lamb Chops topped with gremolata on a white plate. — Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Marinated and grilled in 25 minutes, Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops make 4 servings. Lamb loin chops, olive oil, parsley, shallot, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic, honey, olives, pine nuts, capers, and lemon zest build the main and topping. The lamb chops bring a bigger cookout option beyond chicken and burgers. Serve them with couscous, grilled vegetables, potatoes, or a crisp salad.
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Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Topped with tomatoes and mozzarella, Grilled Bruschetta Chicken makes 4 servings in 25 minutes. Chicken breasts, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, basil, shallots, sundried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, and balsamic syrup give the dish a fresh finish. It fits an all-day cookout because it feels lighter than ribs or burgers but still works as a main. Serve it with pasta salad, bread, or vegetables.
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Grilled Steak and Veggie Skewers

Grilled skewers with beef, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes on a wooden board, garnished with fresh parsley. A striped cloth and loose cherry tomatoes are nearby. — Grilled Steak and Veggie Skewers. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

After a 2-hour marinade, Grilled Steak and Veggie Skewers make 6 servings in 2 hours and 30 minutes total. Sirloin steak, garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, zucchini ribbons, cherry tomatoes, salt, and pepper fill the skewers. The built-in portions make them easy to pass around at a cookout. Serve them with rice, corn, salad, grilled potatoes, or a chilled pasta side.
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Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce

Ready in 20 minutes, Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce make 4 servings with a homemade spicy sauce. Chicken wings, Frank’s RedHot Sauce, unsalted butter, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne powder, and garlic powder bring the heat. The wings work as a main when the table leans, and people keep grazing. Serve them with celery, carrot sticks, blue cheese dip, grilled corn, or fries.
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Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate. — Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

With 52 minutes total time, Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter make 4 servings with a compound butter finish. Steaks, salt, pepper, butter, garlic, parsley, chives, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, Dijon mustard, and black pepper build the main and topping. The butter can be made ahead, which helps during a longer cookout. Serve the steaks with grilled vegetables, corn, salad, baked potatoes, or bread.
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Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Using a two-zone grill setup, Grilled Chicken Drumsticks make 4 servings in 50 minutes. Chicken drumsticks, avocado oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and BBQ sauce give the meat a simple rub and glaze. Drumsticks work well for outdoor meals because they are handheld and easy to batch. Serve them with beans, slaw, potato salad, grilled corn, or pickles.
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Grilled Ribeye Cap Steak

Cooked hot and fast, Grilled Ribeye Cap Steak makes 2 servings with 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking. Ribeye cap steaks, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and butter or compound butter keep the recipe focused on the cut. The steaks rest before serving, so the juices stay in the meat. Serve them with mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, corn, salad, or caramelized onions.
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Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Built with already-grilled chicken, this Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich makes 2 sandwiches in 10 minutes. Bakery buns, sliced grilled chicken breasts, mayonnaise, basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, tomato, and lettuce create a main that works hot or cold. The sandwich format helps stretch the cookout when people want something handheld between bigger grill rounds. Serve it with chips, pasta salad, corn on the cob, or grilled vegetables.
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Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Marinated with herbs and lemon, Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp make 4 servings in 30 minutes. Olive oil, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, fresh thyme, dried oregano, shrimp, salt, and pepper keep the seafood bright and quick. The skewers grill in minutes, which makes them useful when the table needs a lighter main between heavier meats. Serve them over rice, with orzo, beside Greek salad, or with grilled vegetables.
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Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

A plate of chicken wings on a white plate with a slice of mango. — Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

With 40 minutes total time, Grilled Mango-Chipotle Wings make 6 servings with a sweet-spicy glaze. Chicken wings, brown sugar, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard powder, salt, pepper, mango, apple cider, and more brown sugar build the rub and sauce. The fruit glaze gives the wing lineup a different finish from classic buffalo or dry-rub wings. Serve them with grilled vegetables, corn ribs, burgers, or hot dogs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings